Wireless Light Switch Recall Issued Due to Risk of Fires
Published: October 22nd, 2009 • Comments: 3
About 1.3 million Handy Switch wireless light switches have been recalled due to reports that they may overheat or cause a fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Idea Village Products Corp.’s Handy Switch wireless light switch recall on Wednesday. The recall came after the company received 14 reports of the wireless light switches overheating, including nine cases where the switch burst into flames.
The Handy Switch receiver, which plugs into a wall outlet, is a white, plastic wireless remote light switch with a blue electroluminescent nightlight. The model number KS-080 will be printed on the back of the receiver.
The Handy Switch was sold by mass merchandisers, drug store chains, television infomercials and online across the U.S. from March 2007 through July 2009. The receivers were made in China.
The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately unplug and stop using all Handy Switch wireless light switches and contact Idea Village for information on free remedy options. Anyone who experiences an incident or injury due to the devices should contact the CPSC at https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.
Comment by Richard on 24 October 2009:
I have been using my handy switches for over a year now and don’t want to give them up… What are the real dangers and what are my options??????
Comment by George on 14 February 2010:
I’ve been using the these switches for over 9 months to a year. Found
them handy. Am alarmed now that they are ‘blowing out’ my bulbs.
Suddenly a big poof and the bulbs are burnt, not the blue base. Has anyone had this problem and did’nt connect it to a faulty KS 080?
Comment by Joe on 2 March 2010:
I had no problems with my plug. But dont risk it…get the free replacement
handyswitchrecall.com